Cornelius: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

March 19, 2018 | Lars Gotrich -- As Cornelius, Keigo Oyamada has stretched his vision across frenzied indie rock, lush '60s-style pop, psychedelic funk and glitched electronics, all deconstructed and reassembled like a neon cubist-pop sculpture. After a little more than two decades, no one can really imitate his complex cool.
Sporting a pair of sunglasses (always), Oyamada recently brought his band from Japan to the Tiny Desk on a rare U.S. tour, including his longtime collaborator and former Pizzicato Five member Hiroshisa Horie, drummer Yuko Araki (Mi-Gu, Cibo Mato's live band) and synthesist Yumiko Matsumura (Buffalo Daughter). They're all musicians who tease and poke at music's fringe territory, but still know how to make a song buzz and pop with gleeful curiosity.
Here, Cornelius performs three very different songs from last year's Mellow Waves. There's the robotic groove of "Helix/Spiral," which repeats and mutates the same phrase and melodic fragments in a delicate and strange dance. "In a Dream" is a star-swept landscape that invites the subconscious to search for meaning, its keyboard flourishes and light acoustic strums so breezy you could almost call it a kind of retro-futuristic yacht rock. But set closer "If You're Here" is the real marvel to behold live, as the band performs at different tempos, gradually solving a polyrhythmic puzzle of a slow jam. The song also features one of my favorite guitar solos in recent memory - it's unflashy, but twists, spits and resolves in the most unexpected ways.
Set List
"Helix/Spiral"
"In a Dream"
"If You're Here"
MUSICIANS
Keigo Oyamada (guitar, vocals); Hiroshisa Horie (keyboards, vocals); Yuko Araki (drums, vocals); Yumiko Matsumura (Moog, vocals)
CREDITS
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Beck Harlan, Kara Frame, Dani Lyman; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Jenna Sterner/NPR.

[@boocook23]

the world needs more Cornelius

[@hyproe2265]

You mean people who make fun and bully the disabled?

[@boocook23]

@@hyproe2265 eh? if he does, i am unaware of this. apologies.

[@user-jr4fs2hp5i]

@@hyproe2265 日本人です。彼はいじめをしたことを否定しています。この事件の裏で彼のいじめを掲載した雑誌会社が問題になっています。

[@unattendedcandle]

@@hyproe2265 People change...

[@alexanderbadillo704]

@@user-jr4fs2hp5i I really hope that's true. His music changed my life.

[@thpa4389]

新譜出たら絶対買います。頑張って欲しいです。

[@stickysappy]

Yo i just saw them live without knowing who they were. Just mindblowing. Best show I have ever seen in my entire life. I promise. Super tight musicians, and the visuals were just on point. Go see them if you have the chance.

[@shinnieshine8825]

I bet you have saw them at MHRS2022 right

[@denise7090]

Indonesia?

[@wolfumz]

Cornelius is the project of just the lead singer, who writes and produces the music. His band is made up of some of the most famous and respected indie musicians in Japan.

[@Ampersand00]

Bucket list artist for me 🤞

[@yk2710]

@gEcjn7kPa6bY2Bub He says it's not true

[@gordonchristophertubo3164]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw I never in my wildest dreams imagined you would ever guest Cornelius just wow.

[@efebrahim]

AMEN

[@gabesyverson6246]

I couldn’t remember their name but I remember them playing on Yo Gabba Gabba when I was little. Not at all what I remember😂

[@Lyndanet]

@@gabesyverson6246 they were around much longer the first album is memorable check it out !

[@telematic601]

0:00 Helix/Spiral 4:08 In A Dream (夢の中で) 8:49 If You're Here (あなたがいるなら)

[@onlytotalitarianliarsusece8103]

IMHO "In a dream" sounds to much like "Appetite" by Prefab Sprout. ;)

[@danflexofficial]

@@onlytotalitarianliarsusece8103 Wow never heard Apetite but I can clearly see the influence! Nice finding!

[@hiroomi7]

先日ドライブ中にコーネリアスの環境と心理がかかった。 何故か目頭が熱くなった。 何故なら彼の曲にはあまりにも複雑な感情が含まれているからだ。 小山田氏は今後も世間の厳しい目の下で活動しなければならないだろうが、今の貴方だから作れる曲が有るはずです! 今の貴方の曲を待っています。

[@fernandoandraca7625]

Concuerdo totalmente

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

I love the drummer, she plays so gentle yet so snappy.

[@condimentking414]

It's been a month since I saw them in Mexico City, and can't get over it. Cornelius is one of the best live acts I've ever seen.

[@MOTTRONmusic]

I think the album verison of "if you're here" is Cornelius 's best song. There's everything he's been working on since the beginning, perfectly implemented. Love this guy.

[@whatdothlife4660]

His latest album Dream in Dream is literal perfection. He has distilled his formula down to the atom.

[@anaelhonings8683]

How come everything Cornelius does just sound so PERFECT?

[@lisaburgess1435]

I actually learned who Cornelius was when my son was watching an episode of yo gabba gabba. They had a really dope skit on the show that my son played over and over again. I was really blown away at how talented they are!! 👏🏽👌🏽♥️🙂

[@darman2429]

i was that kid, some 16 years ago now. saw it when i was 4 and i was looking for a text to speech voiceline saying "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" for years. that track is called "Count Five or Six", and i found it about a year ago. idk i just saw that someone else knew about him through yo gabba gabba and I had to speak on it! cheers stranger ☺

[@TheDungeonDive]

One of the true geniuses making music today.

[@lairdhercules4553]

I don't care that I'm 20 years late on these guys. I saw them on Gabba when I was younger and has no idea how incredible they are. They are next level. It's jazz, it's electronic, it's rock, it's on its own planet.

[@BlutUndEhre88]

One is never late for any music. Glad you enjoyed them!

[@CharlyxR]

I saw them in Mexico on the NRMAL and it was one of the best shows that i've ever seen. Beautiful music.

[@keap3]

The performance in "In a Dream" drives home how bangin' that track is. These dudes rule.

[@cpcnw]

Saw Cornelius in Liverpool as support for French band Air during Moon Safari tour. Cornelius blew Air right out of the Mersey River - it was just stunning!

[@user-rl9de1wd4p]

どうもありがとうございます、小山田さんのことを声から聞いた、聴けたような気分のままとてもよい演奏でした。又、聴きたいと思いました。

[@benjamingardner3314]

A little less than 20 years ago, I was a high schooler in Texas who did not have an internet connection fast enough to use Napster. Instead, I had to visit either big box stores (which only sold top 20 records) or go to a little place called Renaissance Records. To find something off the beaten path, anything to make me feel something, I'd go there. One day I found a record called Starfruit Surf Rider by Cornelius. I had no idea what it was, I just knew it was from overseas and I was ok with J-pop if that's what it turned out to be. What a weird and amazing record it turned out to be, I immediately found a store that I could order Point, and the connection has been there ever since. Love his music, and glad the internet has been kind to him all these years later.

[@jimbonacum8917]

What an interesting and delightful set. I found my way here because I am a big Pizzicato Five fan and I have been exploring their various collaborators and offshoots. I especially enjoyed Araki san's drumming. Very unique and extremely musical!

[@yk2710]

@gEcjn7kPa6bY2Bub He says it's not true

[@juancarlos388]

Didnt use to know him until he played on NRMAL festival. His visuals are fcking unbelievable and amazing and the play really fancy Love them!

[@killer51]

Rombos Jan x2

[@kunipeach]

NPRのTiny Desk Concertにコーネリアス。このシリーズのコンセプトである小さな場所でライブパフォーマンスに向きあう豊かさ。繊細で精密な裏にある４人の呼吸。他のアーティストと全く異なる雰囲気・音を出せるのはさすが。やっぱりいいな。

[@Andrew-bn7rr]

There show with all the visuals included fits in my top 5 shows of all time.

[@Andrew-bn7rr]

*there

[@user-yk2zj8wc9o]

amazing to see Cornelius on Tiny desk live! Great job, NPR Music!

[@leef250]

Never ever heard this group before. The sounds stimulate me in really magical ways. It’s spiritual magical electronic funky soft rocky and simple love it so much

[@UnclePhilTheProducer]

listen to sensuous in order! fantasma and point are great albums too!

[@whatdothlife4660]

@@UnclePhilTheProducer Mellow Waves is incredibaly good too.

[@user-ux4ir3gl9b]

コーネリアスのLIVEにおいての大きな武器である映像が無くても 自力の演奏力だけで魅せれるってことを証明したライブだな

[@massib.518]

Assoluta maestria!!! Grandissimo Cornelius❤️❤️❤️

[@root_rich]

Yuko Araki's ghost notes in "If You're Here" are wonderful, wish i had seen Cornelius in nyc when they visited. maybe soon!

[@user-xc6jj5dr7j]

「あなたがいなけりゃこの世は色褪せてく」 新生小山田圭吾を彩る音楽が聞けるその日をずっと待ってるよー^^

[@crossbreedpark]

先日のロ－ムシアタ－京都 30周年素晴らしかったです

[@MBblink182]

The guy on keys is vibing haaaaard

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

he's gone, man 😅

[@user-uy5kr8sz1n]

Of course he is. This group knows they are doing something awesome.

[@carrmx0]

@nasachusetts do you know the keyboardist, drummer and bassists names?

[@feelthenoise4046]

carrmx0 Drummer:Yuko Araki Basist:Yumiko Ohno Keyboardist:Hirohisa Horie

[@gracellev]

Wow, this guy has the SOUND.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I hope the people there know how goddamned lucky they are to be there. I saw his first US tour in like 1997 or so. I’m so Cal. Still of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

[@PB-ee2xq]

I saw them when the Sensuous tour came to Australia. It was simply legendary. I remember it VIVIDLY.

[@mishinka]

hey, just saw them 2 days ago in SF. AAAAAAMAZING. One of the best shows I've ever been to. The music was perfectly mixed, sensually loud but not painful and everything was timed with a unworldly and humane video show that just blew my mind (and everyone I talked to about it). !!! :D

[@Sam-pp2it]

@@PB-ee2xq ha! Same! A concert/experience I will never forget.

[@user-ow6ou9gs6h]

あらきゆうこがとにかく凄まじいわ

[@LarrySaklad]

the future for music is here! love it

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Larry Saklad the future has always existed. When it comes to Cornelius he has been going strong for 20+ years!

[@dcashley303]

One of the best things about this new album is how up front the Mini Moog is doing the bass synth parts, sounds so good.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

I loved Cornelius the first time I heard him. My favorite song is I Hate Hate.

[@danielbutcher5836]

Please try to get Toe behind the tiny desk.

[@bluehoodie]

I literally gasped out loud when I saw the thumbnail.

[@fuzzfuzzfuzzfuzz1968]

演奏している最中の4人の淡々とした表情にとても惹かれます。

[@user-ov1zl8ys9b]

小山田圭吾さんがオリンピック開会式に携わってどうなってたか見てみたかったな

[@dstatay5172]

Ahh!! Those Pizzicato 5 days...

[@user-lg9np7ze9j]

天才だわ

[@41nakamura]

動画や音源は消えないでほしい、切に願う

[@neonseacow]

So happy Cornelius is here!!!! I hope there was a Cornelius interview somewhere

[@midorilee6907]

I'm kinda surprised that so many ppl don't know Cornelius at all...

[@user-sd6mk7mt7e]

midori lee The vocalist is famous for his childhood bullying in japan

[@xalener]

@@user-sd6mk7mt7e eh?

[@TheZooropaBaby]

@@xalener he did bully a disabled kid, its true.

[@a_paandah]

Lol what

[@barryvestal4330]

Sad

[@user-sr2ig1lp2u]

キター！！！ なんだろうこの不思議な感覚。 コーネリアスとtiny desk concert まさかそこがつながるか。。。 嬉しいよ！嬉しすぎるけど！！

[@aBikerinTokyo]

This is too beautiful :)😌 feeling loved again thank you

[@rayakojuice]

thank u for this experience.

[@christyaaron8396]

コーネリアスっぽい日本人がいるなあと思ったらまさかでした。 ちょっとうれしいね。

[@user-om8fs6nx7c]

別にCorneliusが聴きたいかどうかは自由！他人がとやかく言うべきことではない。

[@amaldc-brc]

Omg I assisted on this tiny desk without even knowing who they were I just finished arise and I’m blown away

[@younglee9818]

Thank you for helping make this happen

[@pedrorenato6831]

...and that's why Keigo Oyamada is a genius sent from the future!!!(like Momus said/sang:-"Keigo Oyamada helps this slow old world to turn a little faster, for Cornelius is the genius with the world's most brilliant music style!"🙉🤖❤👌

[@yk2710]

@gEcjn7kPa6bY2Bub He says it's not true

[@7Clay7Miller7Jackal7]

Thank you so much for an unforgettable night with my daughter in Chicago! much love to you all

[@addijacoboperez8815]

They performed live at nrmal fest in México just one week before this was filmed. Spectacular show and musicians.

[@user-yq7gl2lb7x]

In A Dream (夢の中で)大好き

[@nopolygons2596]

Criminally underrated

[@Julian-uq7dn]

Omg that rhythm in the last one is great

[@OngoingDiscovery]

Saw them at field day in London. By far the best set of the day. Even better than the high expectations I had for them

[@noda7505]

やっぱりムスタングを使っているのかっくいいなぁ、、、

[@user-ee2lr8bs4b]

応援してるぜ

[@guacamole8554]

ありがとうございます！これは素晴らしいです

[@penguinmit]

love the rhythm

[@TroodonT.]

His album, Fantasma, it's really amazing, a journey.

[@gordonchristophertubo3164]

I had Point on replay for literally a month at one point in my life. I listened to nothing else other than Point.

[@TroodonT.]

Gordon Christopher Tubo it's amazing, I still prefer Fantasma Though.

[@crumbopulisrouge3806]

Dude Fantasma is literally one of my favorite albums ever

[@IdwalFishery]

Those Prefab Sprout vibes get stronger with each passing year.

[@gluckCMD]

in a dream chorus totally borrows from appetite. but is great in its own way

[@sammyroy9476]

Helix/Spiral = Best song i've heard on NPR ever!

[@FranciscoSarmiento]

Te amo Cornelius

[@renatomartins6728]

Francisco Sarmiento somos dois Chico

[@Monsterism]

Fantasma was the first Cornelius album I bought. Got turned on by Money Mark recommendation.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Monsterism greatest opening track of all time.

[@papanovembermusic]

Ditto

[@barryvestal4330]

Theres a tiny little band called Trans Am that has a massive arsenal of music that of course never gets recognized also...its so sad that this world is absolutely clueless when it comes to wonderful music

[@unbroken1010]

Same here

[@unbroken1010]

@@TheDungeonDive definitely

[@darquestarr]

In A Dream sounds a lot like Appetite by Prefab Sprout, which came out in '85.

[@MarcoMachera]

darquestarr true!

[@brycemaruk]

been saying this for a minute; the chorus is beat for beat. great taste though.

[@YareYareYaroze]

Yes! He recently said it was one of his favorites!

[@guidance8384]

yep.i thought that too. if you take, then put back good. if you steal, be robin hood...

[@romulus_]

i was just thinking it sounded like a prefab sprout song then i scrolled to your comment. i also recall an interview on his favorite bands and they are one of them, so that's definitely no coincidence.

[@user-ui4yp6rb4p]

This is the best member in Cornelius history

[@oqsy]

I saw them with Beck, Flaming Lips, Sebadoh, Robyn Hitchcock, etc at a “headphone tour” show. They were the best part without a doubt, and I liked everyone there. So much fun, so beautiful and timeless. Thanks, Cornelius.

[@gm692000us]

To enjoy this, one must have a true love for music..

[@user-cy7ph5ly9c]

フジロックのメンバーさんだ〜！カッコよかった！！

[@ehlava]

Maybe only Cornelius, U2, and Laurie Anderson pull off visuals and music together in a seamless fashion. Try and see Cornelius live, its a treat.

[@chiquita0.01]

Les vi en el Sonar de Barcelona y fueron de lo mejorcito

[@chefjonsf]

HELL TO THE YEAH. THANK YOU

[@Heidenhaunting88]

Holy shit! My boyfriend put me on him! NPR for the win! 💙💙💙

[@_-nc5bw]

Part of the recollection was cruelly cut off, and after the malicious spread by people gathered on anonymous bulletin boards, a prominent arbitrary blog post gained unfair trust, and Keigo Oyamada's distorted figure was shared extensively

[@charlesbratcher6393]

This is the best one yet.

[@yukio3804]

amazing session!

[@MuchoMate]

Coming here after their new release Change and Vanish, great stuff

[@user-pf4fo2ts1v]

朝イチの目覚めに、二曲目は、頭から聞きたい。歌詞に意味が、あっても、なくても、どっちでも脳を起こすのに丁度いい。

[@chrismac4441]

NPR, please invite Mad Capsule Markets to the desk :) another fantastic Japanese band

[@kevinj.oconner788]

That second sound shares some chord changes with Prefab Sprout's "Appetite".

[@MedSou]

i love this culture 👍👍

[@betsunaunderson9194]

NPRでコーネリアス観れるとは感激だわー。

[@AlexTuble]

Holy smokes! A legend in Shibuya-kei

[@Trisador9]

Pillow Strength Multiple legends in that line-up!

[@JohnnyLen]

The area?

[@daisukequdow7598]

少し緊張感が伝わってきます 頑張れって言いたくなる

[@user-jk6pg4ek7b]

不確かな情報を安易に書き込むのは小山田圭吾に対する名誉毀損です。 私は去年の夏、日本のマスメディアに心底幻滅した。

[@kidbuu770]

why would they make that up and what does that mean about the interviews in the 90s were he himself talked about some of the incidents ? Yeah his music is influential, but that can’t be sufficient enough to make up such horrible accusations. So how is he being defamed?

[@gitaivinshtok5012]

Cornelius is a legend

[@jurhyify]

I’m Jealous that the white Roland Juno DS is only in japan. It looks so much better than the black one

[@jamichaelwiley1108]

8:50 drummer shreds sooo hard!!!!

[@KokenMel]

嬉しおす。

[@jeffreymontoya9933]

Pretty sure that's yumiko from buffalo daughter on the keys too

[@carolinaibarra2822]

genius

[@zigzagwandering]

fantastic

[@kpopsauce1697]

Much love from usa 🖤💛🖤💛🖤

[@pstt731]

最高だああああ

[@PecktheTownCrierVideos]

This is mind-blowing.

[@lucysoph1542]

10:31 1301 these solos😍

[@pierbassanini2416]

Wow can't believe they made it here this guys are huge and amazing chack out song fly mindblowing

[@atwarwithsatan27]

Pure magic!!!!